Sept. 22, 2010

Columbia, Mo. -

Mizzou Tennis opens its fall season this weekend at the University of Northern Iowa Invitational and for Head Coach Blake Starkey, it's an opportunity to measure the growth of his program since the completion of the 2009-10 campaign.

 

Starkey's club was one of the youngest in the Big 12 Conference last season, but the return of four starters, and the addition of three newcomers has the 13-year head coach looking forward to this weekend's trip to Waterloo, Iowa.

 

The Tigers will take on a challenging field, that not only includes Big 12 rival Iowa State, but also Big Ten foes Iowa and Minnesota; as well as Bradley, Drake, the host Panthers, Wisconsin-Milwaukee, North Dakota, South Dakota and South Dakota State.

 

“It's early, but it's time for us to get out and compete against some other programs,” Starkey said. “When you get out on the road as a team you can really start building that bond, building that team chemistry you need to be successful. I like the make up of this group. I like how they are coming together, but this will be another step in that process this weekend.”

 

Starkey will take his entire roster to Byrnes Park in Waterloo with the goal of testing his team before a difficult October trip to the Central Florida Invitational (Oct. 8-11).

 

“I'm really looking forward to some tough, challenging matches,” Starkey confessed. “Obviously we are going up there to win, but I want to see how our kids respond under tough circumstances. Each weekend we want to get better and becoming mentally tougher is a big part of that improvement.”

 

Included in his group of participants are seniors Mallory Weber and Kaitlyn Ritchie. Four-year starters for Starkey, both veterans have made great strides since their arrival in Columbia and are poised to play their best tennis in their final years as Tigers.

 

“They've really grown from the first day they arrived,” Starkey said. “I think if you asked them, they can see their improvement as players and they are focused for their senior year. They are great leaders and have made a big impact on this program, not just in tennis, but as leaders for our team. It's something I have really appreciated.”

 

Action this weekend at Northern Iowa runs Sept. 24-26.

 

For more information on Mizzou Tennis, please visit our website at mutigers.com.

 

 

## MIZZOU TENNIS ##